What Happens Now with Missoula’s Old Post Hospital?

A developer will have less than a month to decide whether to appeal a decision blocking him from tearing down an old military hospital at Fort Missoula. 

It's the latest wrinkle in a complicated struggle over what happens to the Old Post Hospital and a piece of Missoula history, but most of all how to pay to save it. \

The debate is not dissimilar with controversy over saving the old Missoula Mercantile, which much of the community wanted to save, but the owner said it was beyond saving.

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The background on the Old Post Hospital

The hospital was a key part of Fort Missoula's operations for decades and was then used for other purposes until it became vacant in 2019.

The developer, FAE Missoula Hospital, bought the property and had proposed renovating the vacant military hospital for commercial and office use 3-years ago, but the city rejected a plan to help pay for the project by developing a section of adjacent homes. 

RELATED: Hospital's Future Peaks Public Interest

Developer Max Wolf and his partners then decided to go ahead and demolish the building, saying it would cost $10,000,000 to $13,500,000 to renovate the building, which was more than it would be worth. Last year, Wolf offered the building for sale for $10 with a $100,000 credit toward "moving and transition costs", but there were no takers.

Demolition denied

Last week the Historic Preservation Commission rejected that application, citing the historical importance of the structure. The demolition idea generated multiple comments, including Preserve Historic Missoula, arguing money is available to help start renovation.

What happens now?

The answer to that is uncertain. The owners will have to decide whether to appeal the Commission's decision to the City Council within a month.